Daisy and Dave

While getting a coffee refill at McDonald's, two people sat at my table thinking it was unoccupied. When I came back Daisy was all apologetic and got up to move. I encouraged them to stay and we exchanged introductions. They had just returned from Biloxi, MS, they had grown up there. They talked about the devastation that remains in that area from hurricane Katrina. Dave said it will never be the same again. He works as a small contractor (did not specify what kind) and lamented the loss of the great mansions lost to the hurricane. He remember three story homes that were built in the 1600's that used wooden pegs to hold everything together instead of nails. He said the upper floor was used for the servants and the lower floor was for the family. This was the reverse of the manner of living Beaufort, S.C. where the servants lived on the first floor and the family lived in the upper stories where the breeze from the bay was most refreshing. Dave talked about the secret passageways in those old houses. My curiosity was peaked and I inquired why they built houses with secret passageways. He knew the answer, they were for emptying the chamber pots. The houses were built so that each bedroom had a bathroom that could also be accessed by a door to the secret passageway. In this way the servants (slaves) could empty the pots without disturbing the family or carry odorous pots through the living quarters. Wow! I had not given much thought to this problem before. Great information. Could this be why castles in Europe have secret passages between the walls?